On a late February day in 2022, as fate would have it, Katherine and Ethan both swiped right on a dating app. After a few weeks of Ethan persistently trying to set up a date—and despite his admittedly poor pickup lines—the timing finally worked out. Katherine had just started a new job and was working late, so Ethan suggested a late dinner at Locals Sushi in Mount Pleasant, conveniently close to her home. The next day, one of Katherine’s now bridesmaids, Julia, came into town. Katherine vividly remembers telling her after that first date, “This is different.” Over the many dates, adventures, and years that followed, Katherine and Ethan grew into best friends. Along the way, they built a life together in Charleston and were lucky enough to surround themselves with some of the most wonderful people they know.

Katherine lived in Washington, DC for many years, and Stone Tower Winery in Northern Virginia was always one of her favorite places to visit. In the fall of 2024, she brought Ethan there for the first time with her parents. Knowing how much the winery and the surrounding area meant to Katherine, Ethan decided it was the perfect place to plan his proposal. Under the pretense of a casual “winery tour,” Katherine, Ethan, and her parents spent the afternoon enjoying the beautiful property — all while Ethan secretly had the proposal planned the entire time. What Katherine didn’t know was that Ethan had also asked her parents for their blessing in that very same place on their first visit. When the moment finally came, it couldn’t have been more perfect. We are so excited to celebrate this next chapter of our lives with you! See you in Harrisburg!